I have avoided severe winter climate all my life. The only time I got 'caught' in freezing cold weather was during a tail end of winter in Istanbul a few years back, which I escaped by fleeing to Cyprus.
So when I find out I'm going to attend the Trust Women Conference in 4-degree rainy London next week, how to survive the cold became a second major concern after getting the visa clearance.
Winter shopping is a foreign concept to me. Luckily, warm clothes are easily found in stores around Singapore. I never noticed before. The shopping part was a bit overwhelming. There are (too) many things to help us stay warm, including the affordable 'thermal' range. But sometime I don't find them pretty.
So I called on my personal stylists - namely my 2 sisters in Jakarta, Carina and Canari. The brief was simple; I'm going to be in the same room with Christy Turlington and Queen Noor. Dress me up.
A few days later, I received a shipment of a small suitcase filled with fancy clothes suitable for cold climate and a pair of black leather boots. I'm impressed.
I just need to make a few additional shop visits for the smaller items like gloves, ear muffs and socks. Even this was not an easy feat.
What kind of gloves should I get? Knitted, leather, flannel? My friend said it's better to coordinate the color with the shoes.
What's the different between leggings and tights? 65% Cotton and 30% polyimide OR 50% cotton and 40% polyimide - which one keeps me warmer? What the heck is polyimide? Even the shopkeepers don't know.
I also received some fashion advises:
"Layer like you're on crack".
"Can not do stylo mylo like dat. Must wear proper pants", a colleague said after I showed her a legging warm enough for strolling around Tanjong Pagar.
"Your outfits must be as fabulous as hers", my sister referring to Christy Turlington who will be speaking at the conference.
Well, I have 48 more hours to prepare. London winter, here I come.
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| The lady I strive to be #Dreambig |
